Africa’s young girls need to develop a proud and strong sense of identity through their formative early years, giving them the confidence they need to become independent women in their later lives. Two women entrepreneurs, born and raised in Africa, are giving these girls a wonderful new way of celebrating their African identity through their It’s Me African Paper Dolls.

The It’s Me African Paper Doll Series is the brainchild of two amazing women entrepreneurs, sisters in fact, born and raised in Africa and with a passion for promoting and empowering women and girls on the continent. Melanie Botha and sister Seni were inspired to start the Women’s Life Studio as a means of supporting entrepreneurs by creating products with a difference, and also enabling their businesses to be sustainable. The It’s Me African Paper Doll Series is the company’s first product to be launched in Ethiopia, and there are plans to soon take the product to South Africa.

"We realised as many others before us, how few African dolls exist in the market. Remembering our own childhood and the important role dolls played in shaping our identity and dreams for the future, we decided to create the It’s Me! African Paper Doll Series that represents the diverse beauty of African girls and women and gives young African girls a doll that resembles themselves!"

Speaking about the inspiration for the creation of the It’s Me African Paper Doll Series, co-Founder Melanie Botha said: “We’ve designed African Paper Dolls with Soul! We realised as many others before us, how few African dolls exist in the market. Remembering our own childhood and the important role dolls played in shaping our identity and dreams for the future (which at the time seemed impossible given our circumstances), we decided to create the It’s Me! African Paper Doll Seriesthat represents the diverse beauty of African girls and women and gives young African girls a doll that resembles themselves! At the same time, we encourage young girls to embrace ‘kidpreneurship’ as well as their true identity – being African. We will be launching various programmes to encourage young designers to become successful entrepreneurs of the future. Our vision is also to collaborate with amazing African designers and publish their designs for the dolls in order to showcase amazing role models across the continent.”

"Our vision is also to collaborate with amazing African designers and publish their designs for the dolls in order to showcase amazing role models across the continent."

"We encourage young girls to embrace ‘kidpreneurship’ as well as their true identity – being African."

Melanie and Seni, founders of Women’s Life Studio

There is a complete African Paper Doll Designer Kit which encourages young girls to explore the world of fashion and design and to give them the feeling of what being a designer is all about. The team are also in the process of creating their own design series together with textile designers, with the specific focus on utilising the amazing designs of Ethiopian symbols and leather. Melanie adds: “We endorse originality and the fact that each person has an Artisan soul. It takes courage to be yourself.”

Why LoA loves it….

At LoA, we love those women entrepreneurs who go out into the world and make a difference, particularly when that difference is empowering young girls to become confident young women of the future in Africa. Melanie and Seni of Women’s Life Studio are demonstrating that one small idea can grow into a powerful force for confidence building and dream making for Africa’s young girls. --- Melanie Hawken, founder and editor-in-chief of Lionesses of Africa

Thanks for visiting LoA. This community is all about telling the inspirational stories of some of Africa's most successful and innovative women entrepreneurs; engaging in discussions about issues that matter to women entrepreneurs; celebrating success; and showcasing some of the incredible companies, products and services on offer around the continent from women-owned businesses - Melanie Hawken, founder and editor-in-chief

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